**3.5 Antimicrobial activity**

The antimicrobial properties of ethanol and acetone extracts of banana peels were evaluated by well diffusion assay against different microbial strains. An 80% acetone extract inhibited bacterial species at 600 ppm against Gram-positive bacteria including *Bacillus subtilis* (20.60%), *Staphylococcus aureus* (19.75 mm), *Escherichia coli* (18.15 mm), and *Pseudomonas aeruginosa* (19.57 mm). The presence of phytochemicals including phenolic compounds and tannins is believed to be associated with this antimicrobial property [39]. The Kirby-Bauer sensitivity method was employed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of silver (Ag) nanoparticles synthesized from the stem waste of banana plant. The Ag nanoparticles showed remarkable activity against *E. coli* and *Staphylococcus epidermidis*, with *E. coli* (Gram negative) being more susceptible with an inhibition zone of 12 mm. The research showed that banana stem waste can generate Ag nanoparticles with antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria, *E. coli,* and *S. epidermidis* [40]. In a separate work, fresh green and yellow banana peel of (*Musa*, cv. *cavendish*) fruits treated with 70% acetone were sequentially partitioned with chloroform (CHCl3) and ethyl acetate

(EtOAc). The antimicrobial activities of the extracts and isolated components were evaluated using paper disc method and minimum inhibition concentration (MIC). The EtOAc and water-soluble fractions of green peel displayed high antimicrobial activity [41]. Moreover, the extracts of dried *M. paradisiaca* peel, powder and ash, possessed a good antifungal effect when tested against *Aspergillus niger* [20].

#### **3.6 Wound healing attribute**

Banana peel was reported to have wound healing activity through its predominant effects on mucosal defensive factor that enhances DNA synthesis and promotes mucosal cell proliferation. The wound healing activity of both methanol and aqueous extracts of plantain banana (*M. sapientum* var. *paradisiaca*) was assayed in rats. Both extracts were found to increase hydroxyproline, hexuronic acid, hexosamine, superoxide dismutase levels as well the wound tensile strength. The extracts also decreased the wound and scar areas, and lipid peroxidation. These effects were attributed to the antioxidant property of the plantain [42].

#### **3.7 Effect on atherosclerosis**

Atherosclerosis is a disease characterized by accumulation of plaque inside the arteries. In a study, Ambon *(Musa paradisiaca)* peel was used to ascertain its effectiveness as anti-atherosclerotic agent by the inhibition of NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa beta) and increasing e-NOS (endothelial nitric oxide synthase) expression in atherogenic rats using immunohistochemical method. It was observed that the extract significantly decreases NF-κβ activity and increased e-NOS activity in a dose-dependent manner. Linear regression showed that the extract can lower NF-κβ activity by 82.1% and increase e-NOS expression by about 95.2%. Therefore, the extract of Ambon banana peel was proven to be effective in preventing

#### **Figure 6.**

*The cholesterol-lowering activity of banana may be because of the phyto-constituents on cellular membranes. For example, saponins can form complex with membrane cholesterol; polyphenols influence 3D structure of membrane proteins like receptors, transporters, and ion channels); small lipophilic terpenoids assemble in the inner lipophilic core of the biological membrane [73].*

**15**

*Pharmacological Activities of Banana*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.83299*

extract can reduce total cholesterol level of rats.

**4. Banana and pharmaceutical industries**

starch glycolate) and CCS (cross carmelose sodium) [45].

disintegrant property than the microcrystalline cellulose.

atherosclerosis. This finding revealed the effectiveness of the peel extract in inhibiting the atherosclerotic process via suppressing the expression of chemo-attractant molecules and monocyte adhesion and thus the peel extract may be considered a novel therapeutic agent in preventing atherosclerosis [43]. A related study was conducted by [44], in which the effect of saponin, tannin, and flavonoid present in Kepok banana peel against total cholesterol level in obese male mice was measured. The researchers divided 20 obese male mice (*Mus musculus L.)* into four groups and treated them for 14 days. Total cholesterol level of each group was measured using spectrophotometer. It was observed that the Kepok banana peel lowered the total cholesterol level in the tested animals, with more effect in a group administered 8.4 mg/day of the peel extract than in the group administered 16.8 mg/day. It was thus concluded that banana peel extract is effective in lowering the total cholesterol level of obese mice reflecting its anti-atherosclerotic effect (**Figure 6**). The researchers obtained 8.4 and 16.8 mg/day based on the conversion of the effective doses of banana peel extract for rats. By this, 200 mg/kg body weight of banana peel

Pharmaceutical industries demand for fast dissolving tablets [45] to facilitate drug

onset of action, higher patient acceptance, and increased bioavailability [46, 47]. Banana, a natural superdisintegrant can be used as pharmaceutical excipient for oral drug delivery due to exhibition of faster drug dissolution which leads to improved bioavailability, effective therapy (therapeutic ratio), improved patient compliance, and satisfies all the standards of fast dissolving tablet. Various formulations were prepared by direct compression method using superdisintegrants like banana (2%), sodium starch glycolate (4%), and cross carmlose sodium (6%). The mixture was analyzed for different pre-compression parameters (angle of repose and tapped density) and post-compression parameters (thickness, drug constituents, weight variation, hardness, wetting time, friability, dissolution and disintegration time as well as drug release). It was concluded from the result that banana powder showed better disintegrating property over synthetic superdisintegrants such as SSG (sodium

In another work by [48], dehydrated banana powder and potato starch were prepared and subjected to analysis. Physicochemical parameters, bulk and tape densities along with angle of repose, Hausner ratio, Carr's index, solubility, and melting point were assessed. FTIR spectroscopy was then performed to study the interaction between aceclofenac (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) and the excipients. Direct compression method was employed for the tablet preparation using the disintegrants, and the disintegration time of the tablet formulations was monitored. To depict the release mechanism from the tablet system dissolution, study was carried out and data were fitted to different kinetic models. The result revealed that tablets of banana powder *(M. acuminata)* and potato starch disintegrate more rapidly than that of microcrystalline cellulose. The prepared formulations passed the evaluation tests including weight variation, hardness, friability, and content uniformity. Therefore, banana powder and potato starch have better

Fermentation is one of the processes used by pharmaceutical industries in drug manufacturing. Effect of banana fermentation product, obtained by subjecting banana pulp juice to a pre-fermentation in the presence of *Streptococcus thermophilus* (DSMZ 28121 strain) and yeast *(Saccharomyces cerevisiae* ATCC 4126T), and postfermentation conducted in the presence of *Acetobacter* (*Acetobacter aceti,* DSMZ

#### *Pharmacological Activities of Banana DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.83299*

*Banana Nutrition - Function and Processing Kinetics*

**3.6 Wound healing attribute**

**3.7 Effect on atherosclerosis**

(EtOAc). The antimicrobial activities of the extracts and isolated components were evaluated using paper disc method and minimum inhibition concentration (MIC). The EtOAc and water-soluble fractions of green peel displayed high antimicrobial activity [41]. Moreover, the extracts of dried *M. paradisiaca* peel, powder and ash, possessed a good antifungal effect when tested against *Aspergillus niger* [20].

Banana peel was reported to have wound healing activity through its predominant effects on mucosal defensive factor that enhances DNA synthesis and promotes mucosal cell proliferation. The wound healing activity of both methanol and aqueous extracts of plantain banana (*M. sapientum* var. *paradisiaca*) was assayed in rats. Both extracts were found to increase hydroxyproline, hexuronic acid, hexosamine, superoxide dismutase levels as well the wound tensile strength. The extracts also decreased the wound and scar areas, and lipid peroxidation. These effects were

Atherosclerosis is a disease characterized by accumulation of plaque inside the arteries. In a study, Ambon *(Musa paradisiaca)* peel was used to ascertain its effectiveness as anti-atherosclerotic agent by the inhibition of NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa beta) and increasing e-NOS (endothelial nitric oxide synthase)

expression in atherogenic rats using immunohistochemical method. It was observed that the extract significantly decreases NF-κβ activity and increased e-NOS activity in a dose-dependent manner. Linear regression showed that the extract can lower NF-κβ activity by 82.1% and increase e-NOS expression by about 95.2%. Therefore,

the extract of Ambon banana peel was proven to be effective in preventing

attributed to the antioxidant property of the plantain [42].

**14**

**Figure 6.**

*inner lipophilic core of the biological membrane [73].*

*The cholesterol-lowering activity of banana may be because of the phyto-constituents on cellular membranes. For example, saponins can form complex with membrane cholesterol; polyphenols influence 3D structure of membrane proteins like receptors, transporters, and ion channels); small lipophilic terpenoids assemble in the*  atherosclerosis. This finding revealed the effectiveness of the peel extract in inhibiting the atherosclerotic process via suppressing the expression of chemo-attractant molecules and monocyte adhesion and thus the peel extract may be considered a novel therapeutic agent in preventing atherosclerosis [43]. A related study was conducted by [44], in which the effect of saponin, tannin, and flavonoid present in Kepok banana peel against total cholesterol level in obese male mice was measured. The researchers divided 20 obese male mice (*Mus musculus L.)* into four groups and treated them for 14 days. Total cholesterol level of each group was measured using spectrophotometer. It was observed that the Kepok banana peel lowered the total cholesterol level in the tested animals, with more effect in a group administered 8.4 mg/day of the peel extract than in the group administered 16.8 mg/day. It was thus concluded that banana peel extract is effective in lowering the total cholesterol level of obese mice reflecting its anti-atherosclerotic effect (**Figure 6**). The researchers obtained 8.4 and 16.8 mg/day based on the conversion of the effective doses of banana peel extract for rats. By this, 200 mg/kg body weight of banana peel extract can reduce total cholesterol level of rats.
